Winthrop hires first ever women’s lacrosse coach
Monday, May 23, 2011 at 10:54AM
By David Thackham
thackhamd@mytjnow.com
Winthrop students will see their Eagles tackle a 17th varsity sport in the spring of 2013, under new hire John Sung.
Sung arrives in Rock Hill after beginning a successful program at Adrian College in 2008. Despite being the only varsity lacrosse program in the state of Michigan, Sung led the Bulldogs to a 46- 19 record during his stint, including a first round appearance in the NCAA Div. III Championship this past season. His college head coach winning percentage now stands at .708.
"We are pleased to have John Sung join our athletic program," said Winthrop athletic director Tom Hickman. "John has done an excellent job and has tremendous success at Adrian College where he started that program, and we believe he can have that same success here at Winthrop as we begin a new program."
Sung is aware of the tough recruiting task that lies ahead of him in a region that promises little homegrown talent. However, the Troy, Michigan native has said he will consider recruiting from the Winthrop women’s lacrosse intramural club team.
“We know that this first year is a developing year, so we definitely will look at club players,” said Sung. “We want to find the best athletes we can regardless where they come from.”
Building a program from nonexistence to reality is rarely done with immediate success. The Presbyterian College men’s team was 0-11 in its first season in 2008, conceding 182 goals while scoring only 57. Sung is keeping realistic about the team’s chances.
“There are going to be growing pains,” he said. “We'll put the best product out there and winning games will be a natural product. Our goal is to be competitive right out of the box.”
Sung enjoyed a successful playing career at Oakland University, leading the Grizzlies as the starting goalie and two-year team captain in 1997 and 1998. He completed his B.A. degree in communications from his alma mater in 2007.
His teams have a reputation for their ability to score goals. Before taking over the Adrian coaching position, Sung spent five years as the assistant women's varsity club lacrosse coach at the University of Michigan, where he helped the Wolverines post 93 wins. His 2009 Bulldog team set an NCAA record for points in a game with 53. The 2010 team finished the year ranked 1st in scoring margin before the 2011 squad ranked 1st in scoring in the country.
“I think we have a style of play that will be a lot of fun to watch,” Sung said.
Sung has spheres of influence in lacrosse that outgrow even the United States. He also serves as head coach of the Haudenosaunee Nation, a mixture of Native American Nations. In 2009, he led the Iroquois National Team to the Federation of International Lacrosse World Cup in Prague, Czech Republic where it finished 11th out of 16 teams. Sung was the only NCAA Division III head coach to be asked to serve as head coach and his appointment as head coach has been extended until the 2013 FIL World Cup.
“Coaching internationally has allowed me to see lacrosse at the highest level,” the 33-year old said. “It gives us a leg up in recruitment to help elevate the program. To coach at that level, it opens your eyes to see what everyone can do, it's the best of the best.”
AD Hickman says Sung will spend the 2011-12 academic year recruiting student-athletes for the program and will begin practice in the fall of 2012 in preparation for the 2013 inaugural season.
“Winthrop has the right things to attract the right student-athletes,” said Sung. “I believe that I have the ability to bring Winthrop to a championship caliber program year after year." Sung will begin his duties at Winthrop on June 6.
